Drain tile structure



Dec. 17, 1968 5 M EI'AL 3,416,321

DRAIN TILE STRUCTURE Filed Aug. 8, 1966 INVENTOILS OSCAR c. SAAD BY JAMES OTENBAKER A TORNEYS United States Patent 3,416,321 DRAIN TILE STRUCTURE Oscar C. Saad and James T. Otenbaker, both of 1434 Maryland Ave., Grosse Pointe Park, Mich. 48236 Filed Aug. 8, 1966, Ser. No. 570,966 3 Claims. (CI. 61-13) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A drain tile is disclosed comprising an elongated drain channel having a generally U-shaped cross section and an elongated cover having an inverted, generally U- shaped, cross section positioned over the drain channel in longitudinal alignment therewith. The cover dimensions are substantially twice those of the drain channel, whereby the drain channel and cover may be separately supported from a single bed of gravel in vertically spaced apart relation. Separate members may be positioned between the drain channel and cover at predetermined spaced apart locations longitudinally thereof to maintain the drain channel and cover in spaced apart relation. Alternatively extensions of the drain channel may be used to maintain the drain channel and cover in predetermined spaced relation.

The invention relates to drain tiles and refers more specifically to a two-part drain tile including an elongated U-shaped drain channel and an elongated inverted U- shaped cover which is larger than and positioned in spaced relation to the drain channel over the drain channel to allow overflow from the drain channel to pass between the drain channel and cover.

In the past drain tiles have been constructed as a single unit and have been joined together at the end thereof in a convenient manner, such as by a male to female joint. Although such structure is satisfactory for many uses, it has been too rigid for many installations where it has been subject to breakage due, for example, to settling of the drain tiles, heavy trucks passing over the drain tiles and the like.

Furthermore, such prior drain tile structure has been deficient in that it has often become clogged with sediment and waste material which has severely limited the drainage characteristics thereof. It has therefore in the past been necessary to replace entire drain tile systems, before the drain tiles used therein deteriorated or the drainage area became saturated because of clogging of the drain tile.

It is therefore one of the objects of the present inven tion to provide improved drain tile structure.

Another object is to provide a drain tile having improved overfiow characteristics.

Another object is to provide a drain tile including an elongated U-shaped drain channel and an elongated cover therefor.

Another object is to provide a drain tile as set forth above wherein the cover is larger than the drain channel, has an inverted U-shaped transverse cross section and is in spaced relation to the drain channel.

Another object is to provide a drain tile as set forth above wherein the drain channel includes spacing projections intermittently spaced along the length thereof to space the cover therefrom.

Another object of the invention is to provide a drain tile as set forth above and further including separate means positioned between the drain channel and cover for maintaining the drain channel and cover in spaced apart relation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a drain 3,416,321 Patented Dec. 17, 1968 ice tile which is simple in construction, economical to manufacture and efiicient in use.

Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a drain tile constructed in accordance with the invention positioned on a gravel bed.

FIGURE 2 is an end elevation of a modification of the drain tile illustrated in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is an end elevation of another modification of the drain tile illustrated in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is an end elevation view of still another modification of the drain tile illustrated in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 5 is a partial longitudinal section view of the modified drain tile of FIGURE 4 taken on line 55 in FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 6 is an end view of yet another modification of the drain tile illustrated in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 7 is a partial longitudinal section view of the modified drain tile of FIGURE 6 taken on line 77 in FIGURE 6.

With particular reference to the figures of the drawing, one embodiment of the invention will now be considered in detail.

As shown in FIGURE 1, the drain tile 10 of the invention includes an elongated inverted U-shaped cover 12 positioned over an elongated U-shaped drain channel 14. The cover 12 and drain channel 14 are positioned in spaced relation to each other to provide overflow spaces 22 and 24 therebetween.

More specifically, the drain channel 14 having sides 18 and 20 and bottom 16 is placed in position on the gravel bed 26 of the usual drain tile system as from a septic tank or the like. The cover 12 then is placed directly over the drain channel 14 with the edges 30 and 32 supported on the gravel bed 26 so that the drain channel ,14 and cover 12 are in spaced apart relation to provide overflow spaces 22 and 24 between the drain channel sides 18 and 20 and the adjacent portions of the cover 12.

Drain tile 10 may be made of the usual ceramic for drain tiles but is preferably constructed of a durable and flexible material, such as a porous plastic, Styrofoam or Pelaspan, for example. The plastic has the advantage of longer life and lightness. In addition, the plastic is not brittle and therefore not susceptible to breakage should bending forces be applied thereto as by trucks driving over a tile field. The ceramic material however is cheaper than most plastics and therefore may be desirable in lower cost installations.

Also, the cover 12 may be constructed of material different from that of the drain channel 14. Thus, the cover 12 may be constructed of a stronger, less porous plastic than the drain channel 14 since strength in the cover is of more importance than porosity for seepage which is required more in drain channel 14.

The drain tile 10 may be laid in the same manner as the usual drain tile in sections of convenient lengths. The sections may be secured together by the usual joint structure, such as fitting the ends in a male and female connection, or they may be secured by plastic securing means, such as tape, adhesive and the like.

In operation waste material which is passed through the drain channel 14 will be transferred to the gravel bed 26 by the usual seepage at low flow, if the drain tile is not clogged. During flood conditions or if the drain channel 14 becomes clogged, waste material will fill the drain channel 14 and will overflow into the spaces 22 and 24, located on either side of the drain channel .14, and will drain directly into the gravel bed 26.

The modified drain tile structure illustrated in FIGURE 2 is similar to the drain tile structure 1|). However, the edges 43 and 45 of the cover 41 are extended inwardly toward each other, as shown, to provide support for the cover 41. Also, the sides 49 and 50 of the drain channel 46 are inclined toward each other at the top to provide improved overflow characteristics for the structure 40.

In the modified drain tile structure illustrated in FIGURE 3 the cover 54 has secured to its edges plates 56 and 58 to provide support for the cover 54 on a gravel bed (not shown). The drain channel 59 is further provided with an arcuate cross section in the modified drain tile structure illustrated in FIGURE 3.

The modified drain tile structure 60 illustrated in FIGURE 4 is substantially the same as the drain tile structure 10, except the cover 12 has been replaced by a cover 61 having sides 62 and 64 and top 65. The sides 62 and 64 are inclined away from each other at the bottom thereof. Cross supports 68 which maintain the over 61 in spaced relation to drain channel 70 are spaced along and secured to the drain channel 70 which drain channel 70 includes sides 71 and 72 and bottom 73.

Drain tile structure 80, illustrated in FIGURE 6, is also substantially the same as the drain tile structure 10. However, the semi-cylindrical cover 12 has been replaced by a rectangular cover 82 having sides 84 and 85 and top 86. The drain channel 88 is provided with spaced projections 90 on the top of the sides thereof which maintain the cover in a predetermined position with respect thereto to allow overflow between the drain channel 88 and cover 82.

The functioning of each of the drain tiles illustrated in FIGURES 1 through 4 and 6 is substantially the same.

Waste material from a septic tank or the like fiows along the drain channel and normally will proceed into a gravel bed through normal seepage. On flooding or clogging of the drain channels the excess waste material will overfiow the drain channel and pass between the cover and drain channel directly into the gravel bed.

The drain tile of the invention has the particular advantage of permitting considerable accumulation of sediment in the drain channel without adversely affecting the operability of the drain tile. Other obvious advantages of the drain tile of the invention are the large capacity thereof and the flexibility and durability of each cover and drain channel in a drain tile system and the ease with which the simple shapes thereof may be produced.

While one embodiment of the present invention and several modifications thereof have been considered in detail, it will be understood that other modifications and embodiments of the invention are contemplated by the inventors. For example, it will be understood that material other than the usual ceramic and plastic referred to above may be used to form the drain tile of the invention within the scope of the invention. It is the intention to include all embodiments and modifications as are defined by the appended claims within the scope of the invention.

What we claim as our invention is:

l. A drain tile comprising an elongated drain channel having a generally U-shaped cross section including a bottom and two sides and an elongated cover having an inverted, generally U-shaped cross section including a bottom and two sides positioned over the drain tile, said cover having cross-section dimensions approximately twice those of the drain channel and a single level gravel bed supporting the drain channel and cover in vertically and horizontally spaced apart relation with the sides of the cover cross section extending completely over and in spaced relation to both sides of the drain channel, whereby overflow from the drain channel will pass over the sides of the drain channel and into the space between the drain channel and cover on each side of the drain channel and into the gravel bed.

2. Structure as set forth in claim 1 and further including means for maintaining the drain channel in spaced apart vertical relation with respect to the cover comprising Separate members extending transversely of the drain channel positioned at spaced apart locations longitudinally thereof and between and in engagement with the drain channel and cover.

3. Structure as set forth in claim 1 and further including projections extending upwardly from the sides of said drain channel at spaced apart locations longitudinally thereof and engaging the cover to maintain the cover and drain channel in the relative spaced apart relation.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,052,226 2/1913 Douglas. 1,103,391 7/1914 Armsworth 61-11 1,541,918 6/1925 Brennan. 1,608,889 11/1926 Lampe 61-10 2,366,522 1/1945 Gutman 6ll0 2,782,604 2/1957 Mixon 611l EARL J. WITMER, Primary Examiner. 

